Part 9 (1/2)

Listen, the darkness rings As it circulates round our fire.

Take off your things.

Your shoulders, your bruised throat Your b.r.e.a.s.t.s, your nakedness!

This fiery coat!

As the darkness flickers and dips, As the firelight falls and leaps From your feet to your lips!

_NEW YEAR'S NIGHT_

Now you are mine, to-night at last I say it; You're a dove I have bought for sacrifice, And to-night I slay it.

Here in my arms my naked sacrifice!

Death, do you hear, in my arms I am bringing My offering, bought at great price.

She's a silvery dove worth more than all I've got.

Now I offer her up to the ancient, inexorable G.o.d, Who knows me not.

Look, she's a wonderful dove, without blemish or spot!

I sacrifice all in her, my last of the world, Pride, strength, all the lot.

All, all on the altar! And death swooping down Like a falcon. 'Tis G.o.d has taken the victim; I have won my renown.

_VALENTINE'S NIGHT_

You shadow and flame, You interchange, You death in the game!

Now I gather you up, Now I put you back Like a poppy in its cup.

And so, you are a maid Again, my darling, but new, Unafraid.

My love, my blossom, a child Almost! The flower in the bud Again, undefiled.

And yet, a woman, knowing All, good, evil, both In one blossom blowing.

_BIRTH NIGHT_

THIS fireglow is a red womb In the night, where you're folded up On your doom.

And the ugly, brutal years Are dissolving out of you, And the stagnant tears.

I the great vein that leads From the night to the source of you, Which the sweet blood feeds.

New phase in the germ of you; New sunny streams of blood Was.h.i.+ng you through.

You are born again of me.

I, Adam, from the veins of me The Eve that is to be.

What has been long ago Grows dimmer, we both forget, We no longer know.